WADENA — The community is invited to enjoy fried chicken and corn on the cob at the Wadena Rotary Club’s 57th Annual Corn and Chicken Dinner. The annual fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at Burlington Northern Park across from Super One Foods in Wadena.
Rotarian Nate Loer said the idea for the corn and chicken feed drive came from a Rotary Club member.
“The club members used to prepare the chicken themselves,” says Loer. “Today we get the chicken pre-cooked and breaded from Super One and then finish frying it in the park.”
In addition to the chicken, over 300 dozen ears of corn are delivered to Burlington Northern Park.
“The corn is grown on site by Greg Goeden and we start shucking at about 6:30 a.m.,” Loer said. Cakes and ice cream are also available.
The Wadena Rotarian Club has 43 members and the corn and chicken feeding is their largest fundraiser of the year.
“We use the money from the corn and chicken feed to support all kinds of community and global work,” said Loer, who said they donated $7,500 in scholarships to graduating class members. Since 1982, the Wadena Rotary Club has donated nearly $100,000 in scholarships.
Other projects the Wadena Rotary Club supports include the Miss Wadena Beauty Pageant, Wadena County Foundation, Wadena County Fairgrounds, Princess Warrior Foundation, Wounded Warrior, Someplace Safe, Wadena Salvation Army, Central Minnesota Boxing, Wadena Youth Hockey, Wadena Chamber of Commerce and the Wadena Fire Department, to name a few.
“Each year, our club also uses a portion of these funds to host the Fine Arts Banquet, which honors children who are involved in the arts at Wadena-Deer Creek School,” Loer said. “We also send young people to Rotary Leadership Camp each summer, and our involvement in the larger Rotary organization fights human trafficking, polio and other important causes,” Loer added.
Advance tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for children under 10, or $14 for adults and $9 for children under 10 at the door. Takeout orders are also available.
Tickets are available at Ameriprise Financial, Magnifi Financial, Mid-Central National Bank and Wadena State Bank. Tickets may also be purchased from any member of the Wadena Rotary Club.
“We hope people enjoy the great food and partner with us to serve our community and the world in this wonderful way,” Loer said.
- What: Wadena Rotary Club’s 57th Annual Corn and Chicken Feed.
- When: 11am–7pm, Thursday, August 15th.
- Where: North Park Burlington.
- Tickets: Advance tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for children 10 and under, or $14 for adults or $9 for children 10 and under at the door. Takeout orders are also available.
- More info: Tickets are available at Ameriprise Financial, Magnifi Financial, Mid-Central National Bank and Wadena State Bank. (Tickets may also be purchased from any member of the Wadena Rotary Club.)
Nicole Stracek was a freelance writer for more than 10 years before joining the Wadena Pioneer Journal. She covers everything from city council and county council meetings to breaking news. The local reporter can be reached at 218-631-2561 or [email protected].
